Medical incident forces cancellation of Ohio-ODU dual

Ohio University wrestler Austin Reese had what is being described as a "medical incident" and "health complication" during his 174-pound match at a home dual meet vs. Mid-American Conference rival Old Dominion University on Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center in Athens.

Austin Reese

The Daily Press of Virginia reported that Reese had stopped breathing and needed resuscitation on the mat, citing a source who talked to ODU coach Steve Martin. Reese was hospitalized and is reportedly awake and aware.

An eyewitness told the Springfield News-Sun -- a western Ohio newspaper -- that Reese, who was a 2014 Ohio state champ from nearby Mechanicsburg High School, collapsed during his match. He was not breathing and had no heartbeat. CPR and a defibrillator were used to revive Reese.

"Someone there said they had to use the defibrillator twice," said former Mechanicsburg wrestling coach Brady Hiatt, who had coached Reese and was notified of his collapse while driving.

The Springfield paper went on to report that Hiatt visited Reese at Riverside Hospital in Columbus -- about 80 miles northwest of Athens -- on Sunday night.

"Dang, champ, you gave me a scare," Hiatt told Reese.

"Sorry, Coach, but I was really kicking his butt," Reese said.

Jason Bryant addressed the incident on his Mat Talk Online Short Time podcast, saying, "Austin Reese is a redshirt junior on the Bobcats wrestling team. The 174-pounder from Urbana (Ohio) was leading Old Dominion's Seldon Wright 7-0 in the second period of Sunday's dual when ESPN's stream cut away from the action -- and never returned."

"While there's been no official word other than 'health complication' regarding what happened with Reese, a glimpse of the action before the expected restart showed Reese flat on the mat, facedown and being quickly tended to by Ohio athletic trainers…" according to Bryant.

Bryant went on to report that Ohio head coach Joel Greenlee had said Reese is currently hospitalized, but he's awake, talking and stable.

Messages with the hashtag #PrayForReese were populating Twitter, as those who Austin Reese weighed in with their own updates.

Austin Reese's brother Kyle posted the following message on Twitter Monday morning: "He's doing well and moving around. Thank you for everyone's support."

Devin King tweeted a photo of his Ohio wrestling teammate Austin Reese in a hospital bed, along with this message: "My man @AustinnReese is doing good. Thank you everyone for keeping him in your prayers. Love you brother."

Austin Reese's parents were at the Ohio-ODU dual. His father Dave, an officer with the Urbana Police, posted this message on the Ohio University Wrestling Facebook page:

"Austin is doing much better and was actually up and moving around earlier," David wrote. "I wish I could call back everyone who left messages and texts, but tonight I learned how large and great our wrestling family is. After that tremendous scare he seems completely normal now just tired. Tomorrow they will begin testing to try and find the issue that caused this. As I get updates I will let you know. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers, and great acts of kindness and support."

The dual was canceled after the 165-weight class match, and will not be made up.